Loose leaf binder



April 9, 1935.

A P. O. UNGER I LOOSE LEAF BINDER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 29', 1934 9 R Y m M a 9 4 Wm m 2 3 .011 U 6 0 I N T 6 H 3 3 10 A l H u a L G o mTw WW m m & w l WW W p F m m T m \g 5 8 f5 2 L 6 fi u 2 2 2 I101 i W A/ r 7 8 W 5 47 a 5 Z 4 4 4 we 4 6 5 V g April 9, 1935.

P. o. UNGER "LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed Jan. 29, 1934 Sheet 2 3 Sheets- Patented Apr. 9, 1935 UNITED srarss PATENT OFFICE LOOSE LEAF BINDER Application January 29, 1934, Serial No. 708,757

12 Claims.

This invention relates to a loose leaf binder; which may be expanded to vary the capacity of the binder.

It is an object of this invention toprovide loose leaf binder of variable capacity capable of holding its sheet contents under compression. It is a further object of this invention to provide a loose leaf binder in which the entire contents may be readily removed as a unit and handled without difficulty. It is a further object of this invention to provide a permanent lock for the binder. Other objects of this invention will become apparent uponreading. the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a loose leaf binder embodying the invention, with parts broken away to facilitate illustration of the structure;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1,'showing the binder open in its outermost position;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary detail showing one embodiment of the permanent lock mechanism in unlocked position;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing the permanent lock mechanism in locked position;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VV of Figure 1 lookingin the direction of the arrows;

Figure 6 is a cross sectional view taken along the line VIVI of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 7 is a top plan View of another em-- bodiment of the invention, showing the binder in permanently locked position, but with the sheets and sheet retaining prongs removed;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary detail of the permanent locking mechanism of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure '7 showing the binder in unlatched position;

Figure 10 is a cross sectional view, taken along the lineX-X of Figure 9, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 11 is a detail view partly in elevation and partly in section, illustrating the means for holding the operating lever in open position; and

Figure 12 is a detail perspective, with parts broken away, illustrating one of the sheet retaining members and its associated binder structure.

1 In the drawings, the reference numerals 2 and 3 indicate a pair of cover members connected to opposite edges of a pair of compression members 4 and 5. The outer edges of the compression members are bent upwardly, as indicated at 8,

and then downwardly, as indiacted'at l, to form a pair of channels in which the inner edges of the cover members 2 and 3 are received. A flanged plate 8 is positioned adjacent each channel, and each plate and cover member is permanently secured to the adjacent channel by means of a plurality of rivets 9, or in any other suitable manner. If desired, a single upstanding wall may be substituted for the double wall 6, I, and

the flanged plate 8 will serve to take the place of the wall 1.

The ends Id of the top wall of the flanged plate 8 are bent downwardly to close the ends of the space defined by the top wall of the flanged plate, the side wall 6, and the adjacent edge of 15 the compression member 4 or 5. The spaces so formed are adapted to receive a pair of cooperating transfer bars II and'l2, and the structure defining the spaces is adapted to prevent the bars from moving longitudinally, vertically, or transversely in an outward direction relative to the binder. The ends of the side wall of the flange 8 may be bent forwardly to prevent longitudinal movement .of' the transfer bars, instead of the ends l0 being bent downwardly.

The transferbars II and I2 are provided with staggered prongs l3 upon which a pluralityv of sheets it may be impaled. The prongs l3 may be secured to the transfer bars in any suitable manner. In the preferred form, the transfer bars are each formed of a metal plate bent to form a bar U-shaped in cross section. The prongs have one end extending through apertures in the bight of the bar and are welded or riveted between the two walls of the transfer bar. As shown in Figures 1 and 6, the prongs are of sulficient length'so that when the binder is compressed to its minimum capacity, the free ends of the prongs fit under the top walls of the flanged plates 8. The transfer bars I l and 12 are provided with recesses H and I2, respectively, to receive the free ends of. the prongs when the binder is compressed to its minimum position. This structure prevents the transer bars from becoming accidentally displaced. when the binder has not sufficient sheets to fill it to its minimum capacity. Each transfer bar is provided at its ends withv a pair of recesses l5 and intermediate its ends with recesses [6 to provide clearance for various parts of the binder mechanism when the binder is compressed to its innermost position.

The binder is provided with a back member which includes a flat plate member I! and a rounded back plate 18. The rounded plate I8 is covered with binding material l9 to harmonize with the appearance of the covers 2 and 3. A pair of tongues struck out from the plate l8 each project through a slot 2| in the fiat plate member H. The plate member I! is provided with a depressed area 22 adjacent the slot 2| to provide room for the end of the tongue 20 which is bent down against the flat plate member H. A bridge member 23 is secured between the plate members l7 and I8 to reinforce the structure to prevent the tongue 20 from collapsing. The

bridge member 23 straddles the tongue 20 and is provided with a slot 24 registering with the slot 2|.

The ends of the back plate I! are bent upwardly and then over, as indicated at 25, to provide a pair of transverse guide channels adapted to receive the ends of the compression members 4 and 5. A pair of toggle links 26-, each having one end secured to a compression member by means of a stud 21, is provided for each compression member 4 and 5. The height of the bent over portion and of the studs 21 is small enough so that these parts may be received in the recesses l5 and I5 respectively when the binder is closed to its innermost position. The ends of the toggle links 25 opposite the studs 2'! are each secured to a centralizing bar 28 by means of studs 29.

' The centralizing bar 28 is secured to the back plate l! by means of a plurality of shouldered studs 30, each of which projects through a slot 3 i. The slots 3| are elongated to permit a limited longitudinal movement of the bar 28 relative to the studs 38. The toggle links 25 connecting the bar 28 with the compression members 4 and 5 cause the bar to move longitudinally whenever the compression members are moved transversely relative to each other. Accordingly, the length of the slots 3| determines the limits of the transverse movement of the compression members, and any means preventing longitudinal movement of the cen+ralizingbar would also prevent transverse movement of the compression members. The toggle connections at each end of the centralizing bar cause both ends of each compression member to move simultaneously, so that the back member is always spaced centrally with respect to the compression members. v

A cover plate 32 is provided with apertures to fit over the studs 30. The ends of these studs are spun over, as indicated-at 33, to secure the cover plate 32 permanently in place over the operating mechanism of the binder. A pair of projections 34 are provided on the upper surface of'the bar 28 to space the cover plate from the operating mechanism.

The structure hereinabove described is generic to both embodiments of the invention illustrated in the drawings. The two structures illustrated differ from each other only in the means locking the binder parts against outward transverse movement either temporarily or permanently. The'locking mechanism for each embodiment will now be described specifically.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 6, inclusively, the centralizing bar 28 is provided with a plurality of teeth or similar projections 35 on one edge. A pawl or lever 35, pivoted near one end tothe plate I! by means of a stud 31,

carries a tooth 38 adapted to engage with the teeth or other projections 35 to prevent longitudinal movement of the bar 28 in one direction to prevent outward transverse movement of the compression members. A spring 33 having one end secured in a notch in the lower end of the pawl 35 and its other end secured in a similar notch in the shouldered stud 30 is adapted to throw the pawl tooth 38 either into or out of engagement with the teeth 35.

The releasing movement of the pawl tooth 38 is controlled by a slide member 40 having an arm 4| projecting beyond one end of the binder. The member 25 has a pair of projections 42 struck therefrom to facilitate guiding the arm. The outermost end of the arm 4| is bent, 'as indicated at 43, Figure 5, to provide a finger grip to facilitate manipulation of the arm. The slide member is provided with an elongated slot 44 through which the stud 3'! projects, and a slot 45, through which the pawl tooth 38 projects. A portion of the slot 45 is parallel to the slot 44, and a portion is angular with respect thereto.

The operation of the binder is very simple. Figure 1 shows the bonder mechanism in closed position. When the slide member 40 is pulled outwardly to the position shown in Figure 2, the angular portion of the slot 45 engages the pawl tooth 38 and causes it to move. away from the teeth 35. As soon as the pawl 36 passes dead. center position, the spring 39 throws the pawl to its outermost position. The compression members 4 and 5 may then be moved transversely outwardly so that the sheet contents and transfer bars may be moved as a unit. Inward movement of the slide member 40 moves the pawl be disengaged from one tooth but will throw it back into engagement with the next tooth.

' The means for permanently locking the binder consists of a tooth-like extension 45 projecting from the upper end of the slide member 40, and a projection 4'! secured to the back plate II. The projection 41 may be welded or riveted to the back plate, or may be struck out from the plate itself. The meeting edges of the members 48 and 41 are beveled, as indicated at 48 and 49, to' facilitate passing movement in one direction. Figure 3 shows the permanent locking mechanism in unlocked position. The position of the parts is the same as in Figure 1. The end of the arm 4| adjacent the bent portion 43 is weakened so that the bent portion'may be broken off to permit further inward movement of the slide member. When the slide member 40 is moved inwardly beyond the position indicated in Figure 1, the member 46 springs over the projection 41 to effect a permanent locking of the binder parts. Since the cover plate 32 is riveted in place, the parts 46 and 41 are not accessible. The finger portion 43 is broken ofi so that it is impossible to move the tooth 38 without leaving visible evidences of tampering with the mechanism. Even after the binder has been permanently locked it is possible to move the compression members inwardly if the sheets will permit additional compression, due to the fact that the elongated portion of slot 45 parallel to slot 44 is wide enough to permit outward movement of tooth 38 around one tooth35 to engage the next the pawl 5| or may be secured thereto in any suitable manner. The pawl tooth 53 is adapted to engage the teeth 50 to prevent longitudinal movement of the centralizing bar in one direction. A spring 54 is secured to the back member IT by means ofa pair of straps 55 which may be struck out from the plate or may be welded thereto. The spring exerts a constant force against the pawl 5| tending to move the tooth 53 into engagement with the teeth 50.

The lower end of the pawl 5| is provided with a recess 55. An operating lever 51, pivoted to the back plate H at 58, is provided with a rounded end 59 smaller than the recess 56 and adapted to be received therein. The portion of the lever near the end of the binder is raised, as indicated at 60, Figure 10, to permit it to clear the toggle link 26. The lever is provided at its free end with a laterally offset handle 6| which projects beyond the end of the binder a distance suflicient to permit manipulation of the lever. A strap 62 is secured to the member 25 to hold the handle 6| in position. The strap 62 is provided with a projection 63 adapted to fit in an aperture 64 in the handle 6| to hold the lever in open position.

When the binder is in unlatched position, as shown in Figure 9, the compression members 4 and 5 may be moved transversely outwardly. Although. the spring 54 is pressing against the'top edge of the pawl 5|, the tooth cannot be moved into engagement with the teeth 50 because the end 59 of the lever 51 will not permit the lower end of the pawl 5| to move outwardly. When the handle 5| is moved to the left, as shown in Figure '7, the spring54 immediately forces the pawl tooth 53 into engagement with the teeth 50 to temporarily lock the binder against expansion just as in the case of Figure l.

The means for permanently locking the binder of Figures '7 to 11, inclusive, consists of a plug 65 having a shoulder 66 adapted to abut a shoulder '51 provided on the lever 51 to prevent the plug from being driven too far inwardly. A resilient arm 6%, integral with the plug 65, is adapted to spring outwardly as soon as it passes the strap 62 to prevent the plug from being pulled out of looking position. The plug is also provided with an aperture 69, similar to the aperture 64, to receive the projection 63 depending from the strap 52. Once the plug 65 has been inserted in position, as shown in Figures '7 and 8, the lever 51 cannot be moved to the right and, consequently, the compression members 4 and 5 cannot be moved transversely in an outward direction. However, the difference in size between the recess 56 and the end 59 is sufficient to permit the pawl to move sufficiently to have the pawl tooth disengaged from one tooth, but the spring 54 will throw it back into engagement with the next tooth. Accordingly, the compression members may be moved inwardly even after the permanent lock plug is in looking position if the sheet contents will permit such additional compression.

While I have described preferred embodiments of my invention in detail, it will be understood that the description thereof is illustrative rather than restrictive, as many details may be modified or changed without departing from the spirit or scope of my invention. Accordingly, I do not desire to be restricted to the exact construction described, except as limited by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a loose leaf binder, a pair of compression members movable transversely relative to each other, a bar connected to said compression members and movable longitudinally of said binder when said compression members move transversely, and means to permanently lock said compression members against expansion by preventing longitudinal movement of said bar in one direction.

2. In a loose leaf binder, a back member, a pair of compression members movable transversely of said back member, a bar, a plurality of toggle links connected to said bar and said compression members to cause said bar to move longitudinally when said compression members are moved transversely, a cover member, a longitudinal slot in said bar, and a stud securing said cover member to said back member, said stud passing through said longitudinal slot to stop the longitudinal movement of said bar before any of said toggle links reaches its dead center position.

3. In a loose leaf binder, a back member, a pair of compression members movable transversely of said back member, a bar connected to said compression members and movable longitudinally when said compression members are moved transversely, projections on said bar, a slide member secured to said back member, said slide member having an angularly disposed slot, and a pawl tooth mounted on said back member and projecting through said slot, sliding movement of said slide member causing said pawl tooth to move into and out of engagement with said projections to prevent or to permit outward transverse movement of said compression members.

4. In a loose leaf binder, a pair of cooperating sheet retaining members, a pair of compression members movable transversely relative to each other and adapted to exert pressure against said sheet retaining members to maintain them in said binder, a bar connected to said compression members so as to move longitudinally in one direction when said compression members move towards each other, and in the opposite direction when said compression members move apart, and means engageable with said bar to prevent movement of said bar in one direction.

5. In a loose leaf binder, a pair of cooperative sheet retaining members, a pair of compression members adapted to hold said sheet retaining members against the contents of the binder, and a flanged plate secured to each of said compression members to prevent accidental vertical or longitudinal movement of said sheet retaining members.

6. In a loose leaf binder, a back member, a pair of compression members movable transversely of said back member, a bar connected to said compression members and movable longitudinally when said compression members are moved transversely, a lever secured to said back member, means on said lever engageable with said bar to prevent expansion of said compression members temporarily, and means to permanently prevent movement of said lever when said first mentioned means is in position to prevent expansion of said compression members.

I '7. In a loose leaf binder, a back member, a pair of compression members movable transversely of said back member, a bar connected to said compression members so as to move longitudinally of said back member when said compression members are moved transversely, a plurality of teeth on one edge of said bar, a pawl tooth engageable with said teeth to prevent expansion of said compression members, and means to permanently lock said pawl tooth in engagement with said teeth, said permanent locking means permitting inward transverse movement of said compression members.

8. In a loose leaf binder, a back member, a pair of compression members movable transversely of said back member, a bar connected to said compression members so as to move longitudinally of said back member when said compression members are moved transversely, a slide member secured to said back member, means operable by said slide member engageable with said bar to prevent expansion of said compression members, a projection on said back member beyond the normal limit of travel of said slide member, means on said slide member engageable with said projection when said slide member is moved beyond its normal limit of travel to permanently prevent movement of said slide member.

9. In a loose leaf binder, a back member, a pair of compression members movable transversely of said back member, a bar connected to said compression members so as to move longitudinally of said back member when said compression members are moved transversely, a plurality of projections on one edge of said bar, a pawl carrying a tooth engageable with said projections to prevent expansion of said compression members, and a lever pivoted to said back member having one end engaging said pawl to move said tooth into and out of engagement with said projections when the other end of the lever is moved transversely.

10. In a loose leaf binder, a back member, a pair of compression members movable transversely of said back member, a bar connected to said compression members so as to move longitudinally of said back member when said compression members are moved transversely, a plurality of projections on one edge of said bar, a pawl carrying a tooth engageable with said projections to temporarily prevent expansion of said compression members, a pivoted lever operable to move said pawl to engage and disengage said tooth from said projections, and an irremovable plug insertable into said binder to prevent movement of said lever when said tooth is engaged with said projections.

11. In a loose leaf binder, a pair of compression members slidable transversely relative to each other, a flanged plate secured to each of said compression members, and a pair of removable transfer bars carrying a plurality of sheet retaining prongs, the free ends of said prongs fitting under the top walls of said flanged plates when said binder is compressed to its minimum capacity.

12. In a loose leaf binder, a pair of compression members slidable transversely relative to each other, a pair of removable transfer bars positioned adjacent said compression members, a plurality of sheet retaining prongs carried by said transfer bars, and a flange projecting inwardly from the side wall of each of said compression members, each of said flanges overlying one of said transfer bars and the free ends of the sheet retaining prongs carried by the other transfer bar when said binder is in its minimum position.

PAUL O. UNGER. 

